Taking a Hit to the Solar Plexus (and staying on your feet)

Post By: Meghan Orfitelli

As soon as the blow lands, you know you’re in trouble. Your breath rushes out, pain shoots through your chest, and if the hit was hard enough, your vision cuts out briefly. Suddenly, you’re fighting, not to hit your opponent, but just to stay on your feet.

A blow to the Solar Plexus, that soft patch just below your breast bone, can end a fight. It can, in a worst case scenario, lead to massive internal injury and even death. Aside from blows to the head, hits to the Solar Plexus can be some of the most devastating strikes allowed in sparring.

The best way to deal with a hit to the Solar Plexus is, of course, not to get hit there. Sometimes however, taking that blow is unavoidable or is the lesser of two evils. When faced with the choice of blocking a blow to the head or a blow to the body, I will always choose to take the hit to the body.

One of the most important things to remember when you do get hit in the solar plexus is not to panic. Even though it doesn't feel like it, you will eventually be able to breathe again. Keep your guard up, maybe give up a little ground, buy yourself time. Don’t try anything crazy right now, no jumping spinning crescent kicks. If you need to, throw some quick strikes to back your opponent up, but realize that right now, you just don’t have the breath for anything spectacular. You are strictly on defense duty right now.

The next thing you need to do is evaluate. How badly are you hurt? Are you in imminent danger of throwing up or passing out? Sometimes calling a fight is the best option. You can’t learn if you’re not conscious. If you have to call the match, put your arms above your head to stretch out your chest and give your lungs some space. Concentrate on getting your breathing under control. Sit out a round or two if you have to, and then evaluate if you can get back in a match.

Assuming you’re not too badly hurt to keep fighting, realize that you’re going to have to spare a bit of your concentration for keeping your breathing under control. Your Diaphragm just took a hit, and it’s not going to want to work smoothly for a while. Try to keep your breathing as even as possible. An easy way to regulate your breathing is to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Breathe in for three counts, and out for three.

Once you’ve gotten your breathing under control you’re golden. Remember however, like with any injury, if you’re still feeling it a couple days later, it may be time to get yourself to a doctor.